Ladder



R. SWAIN L DD R April 22 1924. I

Filed oct. 27 .19

Patented Apr. 22, 1924.

UNITED STATES ROY SWAIN, OF WOOSTER, OHIO.

LADDER.

Application filed October 27, 1922. Serial 1T0. 597,381.

clare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention provides a ladder which is both convertible and adjustable and adapted for general use, either as a step ladder which may be folded or as a straight or long ladder. to be supported against a wall or similar The primary object of the invention is the provision of a ladder of the nature aforesaid which is of special advantage in the picking of fruit, as it enables the person to obtain a sure footing without becomin quickly fati ed and enables the use of bot hands, there y materially lessening the time guired for gathering a given amount of A further purpose of the invention is the provision of an adjustable foot whereby the ladder may be leveled upon uneven ground, or when supported upon soft ground to prevent the ready sinking ofthe uprights or rails therein.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions and requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departin from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the ladder adapted for use in a manner to be self-supporting and readily folded,

\ Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the article adapted for use as a straight or long ladder, and

Figures 3 and 4 are detail views.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

In the present instance, the ladder is shown as comprising two members or sections 1 and 2 which are of similar construction, each comprising a pair of uprights and rungs or steps 3 which have their ends mortised into the uprights and the latter connected by cross rods or ties 4 disposed adj acent to and beneath the respective rungs or steps. the lower end of each upright of the respective sections. The foot 5 consists of a short board having a longitudinal slot 6 adapted to receive a bolt 7 fitted in an opening of the upright. A clip 9 is secured to the upper end of each of the feet 5 and its ends are bent to embrace edge portions of the uprights so as to assist materially in holding the foot in place. When the bolt 7 is loosened, the foot 5 may be adjusted so as to level the ladder when supported! upon uneven ground. The bottom step 3 of each of the sections 1 and 2 is provided with notches 3 through which the ends of the clip 9 are adapted to pass when removing the foot from the section. When the ladder is placed upon even ground, the lower ends of the uprights and feet are flush and result in the provision of a supporting surface to prevent the ready sinking of the uprights into the ground.

The section 2 is provided at its upper end with a broad rest 8 constituting a platform. Angle irons 9' are secured to the underside of the platform 8 adjacent opposite ends thereof and the uprights of the section 2 are secured thereto by bolts or rivets, whereas the uprights of the section 1 are pivotally connected to the angle irons 9' by means of a rod 10. Braces 11, pivoted to the uprights of, the section 2, have hooks at their free ends which detachabl engage'staples or like fastening means appied to the uprights of the section 1. In the adaptation shown in Figure 1, the device is adapted for use as a step ladder and may be folded by disengaging the braces 11 from the uprights of the section 1.

When it is required to use the device as a long or straight ladder, the sections 1 and 2 are separate and the foot pieces 5 are removed from the uprights of the section 2 and the latter section is arranged in line with the section 1 with the adjacent ends of the uprights overlapping. The rod 10 is passed through registering o enings in the overlapping end portions 0 the upri hts and the bolts 7, previously removed w en detaching the foot pieces from the section 2,

An adjustable foot 5 is appliedto are replaced to engage registering openings in the overlapping ends of the uprights,

thereby acting jointly with the rod 10 to secure the sections 1 and 2 in-the adjusted position. The foot pieces at the lower ends of the uprights of the section 1 may be used for leveling the latter or to prevent the same from readily sinking into soft ground. The broad rungs or steps 3 enable a sure footing so that anyone using the ladder for pickin fruit may bring both hands into service an will not soon tire because of the extended bearing for the feet.

What is claimed is: A

A ladder comprising similar sections consisting of uprights and steps connecting the uprights, one of said sections having a platform rigidly secured to its upper end to which the companion section is adapted to be'pivotally connected, a tie rod extending memes through the uprights of the second section to ivot'ally connect the same to the latform, bolts at the lower ends of the uprights of each of the sections and adapted to secure extensions thereto said sections adapted to be aligned with their uprights having end portions overlapping, said he rod adapted to extendvthrough each of the uprights of each of the sections when the sections are aligned, and the bolts at the lower ends of the uprights of the section carrying the platform adapted to be passed through the upper portions of the uprights of the companion section.

In testimonywhereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. ROY SWAIN. \Vitnesses: 1

PAULINE KING,

NEAL F. BOWMAN. 

